Apple’s Classroom App is a key part of Apple’s toolkit for managing Apple devices in schools, alongside the Apple School Manager and Shared iPad programs. It can be used to lock down iPads in classrooms so students do not get distracted while studying.
Purpose
The purpose of this knowledge article is to provide a guide on installing and configuring Apple’s Classroom App to lock down iPads in classrooms.
Prerequisites
- iOS 10.3.2 or later.
- iPadOS 13 or later.
- 4th-generation iPads or later.
- iPad Mini 2 or later.
- All iPads must be Bluetooth-enabled.
- All iPads must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Student devices must be supervised.
Steps
Step 1: To install and configure Classroom app
1. Install the Classroom App
Install the free Apple Classroom app on the teacher’s iPad.
Note: Student devices do not need to have the app installed.
2. Create and name the class.
Launch the app, tap Create new class, and give your class a name. You can create multiple classes.
3. Check Bluetooth and Wi-Fi settings.
Make sure that all iPads are Bluetooth-enabled and connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
4. Add students.
Tap on the class(es) you created, and then tap Add Students.
5. Prepare student devices to join
Ask your students to open the Settings app and look for the Classroom menu option.
6. Ask students to select the class name.
Once students have selected the classroom menu, tell them to look for the name of your class.
7. Share the code with students.
Once students have selected the name of your class, give them the 4-digit code that is displayed on the teacher device.
8. Watch student names appear on-screen.
After this, students will be added to your class, and you will be able to see their names listed on the screen.
With the Classroom app installed on the teacher device, teachers can:
- Open apps on student devices.
- Restrict access to certain apps on a particular device.
- Open websites on student devices.
- Lock all student iPads (“Eyes on teacher mode”).
- Mute all student iPads.
- Get a live preview of all student screens at once, and tap on any student device to view it as a full screen.
- Create student groups for projects.
Shared iPads
If students are sharing iPads, teachers can assign multiple students unique login credentials to access the same device. Students can just tap on the image on the iPad screen, enter their login credentials, and access the device to see their assignments and homework. In this case, the iPad will be the same, but the apps might be different depending on the specific needs of students and as assigned by the teacher.
Step 2: To configure the classroom app through an MDM solution
You can manually set up devices using the Classroom app, as described above, but a more efficient method is to use a mobile device management (MDM) solution. This lets IT admins configure iPads with class rosters, automatically completing the setup process outlined above and configuring chosen settings and restrictions.
Using an MDM solution, IT admins can:
- Create teacher and student profiles.
- Create classes and add students on a teacher’s behalf.
- Push apps that students are allowed to use in class.
- Enable teachers to fully control student devices.
From the teacher’s perspective, the appropriate roster and settings immediately appear once teachers open the Classroom app on their device.
Step 3: To configure the Classroom app through an MDM solution and Apple School Manager
Users can set up Apple Classroom by syncing an MDM solution with Apple School Manager (ASM). ASM combines Apple’s Device Enrollment Program and Volume Purchase Program (for apps and content) with the ability to create Managed Apple IDs on student-owned devices.
1. Configure the users and classes.
Configure the users and classes on ASM, and set the users as teachers and students.
2. Sync the owner.
Syncing the owners in System Manager allows System Manager to see all users on ASM.
3. Assigning each iPad.
Set the owner for each iPad.
4. Profile creation and installation.
Create the desired combination of settings and policies (known as an “education profile”) and install the profile on each iPad.
5. Launching the Apple Classroom.
Launch the Apple Classroom app on the teacher iPad, and the teacher will be able to control and monitor the student iPads.
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